Yankee Classic

They say that Game 4 is the swing game of any series: either you go to Game 5 tied at 2, up or down 3-1, or the series is over. In the case of this year's World Series, a Yankees win at The Bank (that's what my friend who spent a semester in Philly called it, I guess it's better than the Cit) would mean a 3-1 lead with two at Yankee Stadium and having to face Cliff Lee only once more. A Phillies win would regain momentum with your ace going in Game 5 and likely only needing to get one in the Bronx.

Game 4 was a big game.

Both managers took a gamble: the Phillies not starting Cliff Lee for 3 games and choosing to go with Joe Blanton, the Yankees starting CC Sabathia on only 3 days rest. In the end, the starting pitchers came out a wash. The Yankees did hold a 4-2 lead going into the late innings, but solo HR's from Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz made it 4-4 going into the 9th.

It was here that everything was on the line. Finally, the World Series felt like the World Series. It was time for someone to make a defining play in this year's Fall Classic.

That someone was Johnny Damon.

With 2 outs in the Top of the 9th, Damon came to the plate to face beleaguered Phillies closer Brad Lidge. Damon battled Lidge pitch after pitch, and finally singled to left field. Damon's at bat was a true Yankee classic. It brought back to memory Paul O'Neill's legendary 10 pitch at bat in the 2000 World Series against Armando Benitez (only time you'll see Armando Benitez and legendary in the same sentence, unless it's his fight against the entire Yankee team in 1998).

But, Damon's at bat was only the beginning. He then managed to steal second and then third when nobody was covering due to a shift on Mark Teixeira. It was a heads up play by Damon to take the extra base, and risky with 2 outs. But, the shock sent around the stadium from Damon's Double Steal no doubt threw Brad Lidge off his game (I told you he'd blow a game this series). He then plunked Teixeira and then allowed an RBI double to A-Rod and a 2 RBI single to Jorge Posada that won the game for the Yanks, 7-4. Here's the highlights that will soon be taken down...

While most of the plaudits and the attention will be laid at the feet of A-Rod, it's Johnny Damon that will go down in Yankee lore for Game 4 of the '09 Fall Classic. Yes, A-Rod will get most of the attention for getting the clutch RBI, ridding his choker reputation, bouncing back from the steroid admission, dating Kate Hudson and the rest... we at RSS won't just repeat national talking points though. Damon's heroics are the story of Game 4 because his performance was a Yankee classic.

Damon's at bat and double steal was the way the Yankees used to win championships. Think about it, before last night had any of the new spendaholic Yanks done anything to be remembered besides making a ton of money and not winning a title? A-Rod, CC, and Tex, Pavano, Giambi, Sheffield, and Matsui... how many of those guys had ever produced a gutsy, championship winning moment.

None, until Damon last night.

When the Yankees were winning the World Series in the dynasty era, there were moments that won games not built on money, but intangible plays that are the mark of a championship team.

Jeter's famous flick to home plate to beat Jeremy Giambi against Oakland or his dive into the stands. Key home runs from unsuspecting sources like Leyritz and Brosius. Clutch hits from guys like Chad Curtis and Jose Vizcaino. The steady play of Bernie Williams. The warrior mentality of Paul O'Neill. The pitching of anyone from David Cone to Jimmy Key to El Duque to David Wells to Andy Petitte.

These were plays that only the Yankees made and attributes that only the Yankees had. For the first time in a long time, the Yankee magic was back last night when Damon ran to an uncovered third base. In the years since Aaron Boone's HR beat the Red Sox in 2003, last night was the first moment when you really felt that the Yankees were back to being the Yankees again.

Damon's Double Steal was a true Yankee Classic.

What Are The Odds: World Series Preview

Time for RSS's World Series What Are The Odds Preview. We'll give you the odds on not only who will win and who will lose between the Yanks and the Phils, but some other juicy lines as well. A comprehensive preview of the entire World Series, Vegas style. Of course, these are lines and odds that you won't see anywhere else. Only Randall Simon's Sausages tells you like it is. Let's play the odds!

Buck & McCarver Annoy America - 1/5,000,000

Yea, this is going to happen at some point during the series. Whew, I hope the rest of the preview is this easy!

Brad Lidge Blows A Save - 4/1

Assuming Lidge has 4 save opportunities, he will at least blow one of them. The shaky Phils closer isn't exactly automatic in the big games (think Albert Pujols' blast out of Houston a few years ago). That, combined with a potent Yankee lineup that has produced late inning dramatics this season is a combustible formula for Philly.

Mariano Rivera Blows A Save - 40/1

On the other hand, Mo Rivera is much less likely to blow a save in this series. Then again, the ghosts of 2001 might still haunt the Yankee Closer. This might be a number that would be a good bet, especially for the Yankee haters.

Ozzie Guillen Says Something Stupid - 2/1

Out of all the possible player/coach analysts to hire for the World Series, you pick this guy? Ugh. How does he still have a job as a manager, let alone a guest commentator?? Then again, maybe he's going to try to offend a different group of people during each game's coverage. Let's go through some of Ozzie's greatest hits...

About A-Rod:

"Alex was kissing Latino people's @$es. He knew he wasn't going to play for the Dominicans; he's not a Dominican!" (Boy, that just screams impartiality doesn't it.)

About Ex-Players Confessing Steroid Use

"They're full of (bleep). You know why? Whatever happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse."

About Magglio Ordonez

"He's a [bleep], that's what he is. He's another Venezuelan [bleep]. [Bleep] him."

About Jay Mariotti:

"What a piece of s#*t he is, f#$^ing [bleep] (gay slur)." "He's a garbage. He's always been a garbage. And he will die a garbage." (don't ask me what "a" garbage is...)

I don't understand the appeal to this guy, he's an obnoxious, offensive, loudmouth blowhard... then again, maybe that's why he was hired.

An Ex-Indian Wins A WS Game - 1/10

Well, seeing as how the two best pitchers in this series both plied their trade in Cleveland in the not so distant past, this is a pretty certain bet. I wonder what must be going thru the minds of Cleveland fans knowing that both Lee and Sabathia are pitching Game 1 of the World Series. Better yet, I wonder what must be going thru their minds knowing that Eric Mangini is coaching the Browns. At least they still have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

Chances Joe Girardi Outmanages Himself - 3/1

#27 has shown a certain bad knack for wanting to manage just a lil' too much in search of title #27 for the Bronx Bombers. Especially in the late innings, there is a good chance that Girardi makes one move too many to cost the Yankees a crucial game. Oh, and that's in the AL, just wait until he gets to manage in an NL park. Oy! He might even try to send David Cone in to pitch at some point this series.

Ryan Howard Outslugs A-Rod - 5/6

We'll give Howard the slightest edge in this Titanic Battle of the Titans (redundant?). Both players have had awesome postseasons, yes, even A-Rod. But, we'll give Howard the slight edge because of the short porch in RF at Yankee Stadium. The robust lefty must be salivating over the New York bandbox.

Breaking Scoring Records - 15/1

While Philly and NY might have two of the most hitter-friendly parks in baseball, these teams will have to do some big time work to reach the meaningful run-scoring records. Of course, it was the Phillies and Blue Jays that scored 81 runs in the '93 Fall Classic. But, that record, and Game 4's 15-14 high scoring records should still feel fairly secure.

Fox Sets A Record For Worthless Camera Angles - EVEN

As if the constant band shots come bowl time were annoying enough from Fox, I suffered from vertigo while trying to watch the ALCS. In the late innings of Game 2, this was the sequence of camera shots:

Pitcher, Hitter, Fan #1, Manager, Pitcher Close Up, Fan #2, Player Scratching Himself In Dugout, On-Deck Circle, Pigeon, Blimp, Pitcher Close Up #2, Empire State Building, Hitter #2, McCarver Falling Asleep, Steinbrenner, Batman, Pitcher Close Up #3... Pitch

Maybe I should just try the radio broadcast...

Pedro Is Spooked By The Bambino - 3/1

Hmm, the number 3, hmmm. Pedro doesn't exactly have the best memories of pitching in the postseason at Yankee Stadium, and you can bet that you'll hear a "Who's Your Daddy" chant. Even though it might not be the House that Ruth Built anymore, maybe one or two of those spirits will make their way over to the new place and give Pedro a friendly hello...

A Shortstop Wins MVP - 7/1

Jeter and Rollins might be the two most clutch players on either roster. While Howard and Rodriguez might get walked and pitched around, these two might be more decisive in who wins or loses. Jeter has always come up big in October, and Rollins' key hits have been very important for the Phils in the past 2 years. Expect one of these two to step up in a huge way and lead their team to a victory.

Yankees Win, THHHEEEEEEEEEEE Yankees Win - 3/5

Well, when it is all said and done, the Yankees have to be favored to lift the trophy at the end. The Yankee bullpen and lineup has a distinct edge, and that will be enough to see the Bombers through. Of course, dealing with Lee and Hamels might be tough, but the Yankee lineup is potent enough to beat anybody. Even though the Phils are the defending champs, this isn't the Devil Rays. We've already seen the Twins and Angels melt against the Yanks, and Philly might do the same. But, most of all, the Yankees have had a sense of destiny about them all season. Whether it has been divinely arranged or not, the Yankees have always seemed like they were going to win it all this season. From the crazy wins, to A-Rod of all people producing, to their jovial behavior, all the intangibles have pointed to New York. PICK - Yankees IN 6

That's it for our full What Are The Odds Preview! Enjoy the Series and check out our own series... the Decade Series, returning very, very soon! Bye for now!

5-4-3 Baseball Roundup - LCS/World Series/Bizarro World Edition

Our World Series matchup is set as it'll be the Bronx Bombers vs the Fightin' Phils. This WS promises to be one of the best in recent memory (knock on wood). You have the stars, the stories, and the traditional teams all on the table for this series. And, most of all, the Yankees are back, ha ha ha. So, let's go around the horn with our 5-4-3 Roundup and look at how we got here from the LCS, a mini WS preview (full version coming Wednesday)... and 3 Bizarro World moments from the week.

5 LCS Observations

1) Thanks For Playing LA -

Well, so much for the Dodgers showing up and giving the Phillies a true test. Their pitching stunk (especially the bullpen), they never got clutch hits, and they were outplayed from beginning to end. Eh, it's not like Dodger fans care anyways.

2) And That Other LA Team... - The Halos looked rattled throughout the ALCS. They were finally done in last night with those errors in the bottom of the 8th inning. This wasn't the same team that had played so well against Boston and beat the Yanks in previous years.

3) Umpiring Woes - We said there'd be controversy, and thankfully the boys in blue (or black I guess) provided it. The 3rd Base double out call was the most glaring, but referees in all of sports have been under fire recently. But, please, don't add expansive replay to baseball, I'll live with the "human error"... I can't spend 6 hours watching a game.

4) Philly Fanaticism - This just in... the Phillies are a darn good team. Jayson Werth and Jimmy Rollins stepped up with clutch hits in the series, Ryan Howard played well, and even Brad Lidge got in the act! This may be the most underrated team in any sport the last few years.

5) Yankee Yuks - As much as America might not like it, this Yankee team is one that you can root for. This bunch sure looks like a different group than last year because they're simply playing the game and having fun. I haven't seen a Yankee team look this loose and relaxed in all my years of following the Yanks. Heck, even A-Rod is getting clutch hits and looking comfortable! Hey, 2012 is right around the corner....

4 Key World Series Matchups

1) Lee v Sabathia -

This is a huge matchup in Game 1 and if they are paired up down the road in future games. In fact, these 2 former Cleveland pitchers and Cy Young winners could decide the series. It will be fascinating to see these two former teammates duke it out when it matters most.

2) Closing The Deal -

The Rivera v Lidge duel is a huge advantage to the Yankees. Rivera is simply the best of all time, while the first words used to describe Brad Lidge are usually some form of shaky and/or skittery (I think that last one is made up...). Lidge has the potential to go all 2001 Byung-Hyun Kim in this series, and that's good for the Bombers. Maybe some October magic will return to the Bronx.

3) A-Rod v R-Ho - Ok, first, Ryan Howard needs a good nickname, obviously R-Ho isn't going to cut it. These two sluggers have been awesome this entire season and it could come down to which team's big star will carry the day and get the clutch hits when it matters most.

4) The Chess Game - This isn't so much Charlie Manuel vs Joe Girardi as much as it is Joe Girardi vs Joe Girardi. The Yankee skipper was accused of vastly overmanaging in the LCS, and has to avoid that temptation in the World Series. The grizzled Manuel has been a great influence on Philly and been here before, while Girardi hasn't. Watch the managers to see if one makes a brilliant or stupid move to decide a game.

3 Huh? Stories

1) The Cleveland Indians - As if fans of Tribe Time haven't had a bad enough couple years, your two former Cy Young winners are now starting against each other in Game 1 of the World Series!!! Are you kidding? What is this franchise thinking? That LCS appearance now seems like 20 years ago instead of 2. They were a game away from the World Series in 2007. Now... well, at least some of their castoffs are there! But, at least Cleveland fans have hope for the future:

-The prospects that you got for these WS stars stink.

-Your roster is one of the least talented in the league.

-There are more pigeons in your ballpark than Indians fans (I was there, I know)

-You just hired Manny Acta to lead your team to the Promised Land! Yes, that Manny Acta who managed the Nationals and has a 38.5 winning percentage!

At least the Browns are doing well and LBJ is going to New York soon! Cleveland rocks!

2) The Steve Phillips Story Debuts on Lifetime this Friday! - By now, you probably know all the sorted details of Steve Phillips' love affair with an ESPN staffer. Kudos to Bristol for releasing the news on a Sunday NFL afternoon (a Presidential administration couldn't hide news better, clap clap). The whole Deadspin/ESPN saga has gripped the blogosphere with the blogging giants threatening to unfurl all of Bristol's dirty laundry. The two stories need separated though. Steve Philips deserved to be canned for his shoddy analysis, and this is just the icing on the cake. Do you remember those fake press conferences starring Steve-O? I think "Who's Now" was a better idea. Phillips had a history of promiscuity and obviously needs to get his life together.

Secondly, the Deadspin crusade, while entertaining for some, is pretty vile behavior. I was most troubled with outing the exec who no sports fan knows or cares about. OK, so Deadspin doesn't like that ESPN didn't tell the whole truth about Steve Phillips... do you expect them to just leak that to a blog? Seriously? It seems like Bristol could be the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah, but plastering rumors and trying to ruin folks' lives is just plain sickening. The behavior that goes on at ESPN evidently needs some serious assessment, but this is the absolute worst way to go about it.

3) Welcome Back Big Mac? - After 8 years hiding out in the Unabomber's shack, Mark McGwire is going to come back to the St. Louis Cardinals as a hitting coach? What's his advice going to be? Take this needle and get jacked? Here's a bottle of andro - figure out your swing on your own? Is he going to tell his players that he's not here to talk about the past when they ask him for advice? Tony La Russa is going to open up a whole can of worms by having Big Mac back in baseball. Don't forget, his last meaningful public appearance was that atrocity on Capitol Hill.

Don't you think he's going to have to answer those questions throughout his tenure? If Big Mac has a place at all in the majors it's with Tony La Russa in St. Louis. Evidently, the Cards think he can be a great hitting coach, but is it worth the circus? If it goes well, maybe he'll be forgiven like Papi, A-Rod, Andy and Manny and his public image will be restored... or the pressure might be too much and he'll join Sosa, Bonds, and Clemens and move back to Parts Unknown.

You didn't think we'd give away our picks did you? Check back Wednesday before Game 1 for our full World Series preview as we will tell you who will take home the title, and check back later tonight for the YCS and Heisman Watch in College Pig.